WASHINGTON — A Senate defense panel has been far less generous to Connecticut defense programs than it’s counterpart in the House, which had boosted the number of F-35 Joint Strike Fighter planes and doubled the number of Black Hawk helicopters the Pentagon had asked for.
Senate defense bill holds the line on F-35s, Black Hawks
Posted inEducation
Feds bolster CT law requiring transgender access to school bathrooms
Public schools and colleges throughout Connecticut and the U.S. were informed by federal officials Friday that they must allow transgender students to use bathrooms for the gender they consider themselves – guidance that conforms to and bolsters changes made to state law five years ago.
Posted inEducation
CSCU moving its central office
The state’s largest public college system in moving out of its historic Tudor-style Hartford headquarters and consolidating staff at a more energy-efficient building nearby.
Posted inCT Viewpoints
We’re winning the battle of homelessness in Connecticut
Connecticut’s annual count of homelessness shows that our state continues to make major gains in the effort to end this significant problem, driving overall homelessness down to new lows. The continuing decline follows major investments to end homelessness by the administration of Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and the General Assembly, in tandem with concerted efforts to coordinate and target resources at the community level.
Posted inEducation, Energy & Environment, Health, Justice, Money, Politics, Transportation
Measure strips $1B in bonded projects off of CT’s credit card
The Senate voted late Thursday rebalance Connecticut’s credit card in the face of shrinking tax revenues, canceling or delaying about $1 billion in financing for a wide array of projects and programs, and to authorize $380 for municipal school construction, down significantly from recent years.
Posted inJustice, Politics
Senate postpones vote on Malloy’s ‘Second Chance 2.0’
The Senate postponed a plan to adopt Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s signature proposal to reform the bail and juvenile-justice systems after a tense day of negotiations Thursday over revisions aimed at bolstering Democratic support and blunting Republican opposition in an election year. The House now will make the first attempt at passing the bill.
Posted inEducation, Health, Justice, Money, Politics
A handshake, then a vote on Connecticut’s next budget
Updated at 11:10 p.m.
The Senate adopted a $19.76 billion budget Thursday that would eliminate a nearly $1 billion deficit and significantly reduce larger shortfalls after the November state elections.
Posted inNews
In some CT towns, minority drivers more likely to be pulled over
Among some police departments there continue to be significant disparities between white and minority drivers in traffic stops and in whether those stops result in tickets or searches, according to an analysis of police traffic stops in Connecticut released today.
Posted inMoney, Politics
Last-minute bill would rein in CT budget deficit forecasts
Updated at 11:10 p.m.
Future state deficit forecasts are likely to shrink significantly under a method imposed in the new state budget plan that disregards billions of dollars in annual expenditures not fixed by contract or federal mandate.
Posted inCT Viewpoints
Connecticut women — here’s a reminder to schedule a health checkup
May 8-14 is National Women’s Health Week, and Planned Parenthood of Southern New England (PPSNE) is reminding women to make their health a top priority by scheduling a checkup. If a woman cannot recall the date of her last wellness exam, sometimes called an annual exam or well-woman checkup, or has to flip through a calendar to remember, then it has probably been too long.
Posted inEducation, Health, Money, Politics, Transportation
5 things to know about the new state budget plan
The Senate is expected to vote today on a $19.76 billion spending plan for the upcoming fiscal year intended to wipe out a $1 billion deficit, a measure touted by Democrats for not raising taxes and blasted by Republicans for relying on illusory savings.
Posted inNews
Track the 2016-17 budget as it unfolds
As the state budget process unfolds for the 2016-2017 fiscal year, this tool is designed to help you track how specific programs, places and issues fare in each proposal – and in the final budget.
Posted inPolitics
Congress fighting over Zika funding that could aid CT pharmaceuticals
WASHINGTON — Congress is tied in a partisan knot over funding U.S. response to the outbreak of the Zika virus, money that could help several Connecticut pharmaceutical companies continue their work toward a vaccine.
Posted inJustice, Money, Politics
Looney says budget deal, ‘Second Chance’ are on for Thursday
The leader of the Connecticut Senate said Wednesday night he has the votes to pass Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s criminal justice reforms and last week’s budget deal when the Senate returns Thursday in special session. The House of Representatives has yet to schedule a vote.
Posted inEducation
Republicans smell a rat in extra school aid for nine towns
Republican legislative leaders are upset that the budget deal scheduled to be acted on by the legislature this week directs an extra $3.52 million in school grants to nine municipalities represented largely by Democrats.